Smart Communications, Inc. has flipped the switch for their 4G LTE network at Baguio City, just in time for the Panagbenga Festival and also making it the first 4G LTE network to go live at the summer capital.
“We are very pleased that residents of Baguio City and the tourists that are expected to flock to the city during Panagbenga will be among the first to experience the future of mobile broadband, which is LTE,” said Rolando G. Peña, head for technology of both Smart and parent company Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT).
With Smart LTE, users can download full HD movies in minutes, stream music or videos online without the buffering, and do other tasks that requires high-speed internet connection. Smart LTE was first demoed at Boracay last Holy Week, followed by their test-runs at Cebu, and also at Camarines Sur. The LTE network is now also up on Metro Manila.
Smart plans to bring their LTE network to more markets this year. “In line with our Internet for All advocacy, in the coming months we will bring LTE to other cities and municipalities all over the Philippines, as we upgrade our network and make it world-class, while at the same time, make it more stable and more reliable,” added Peña.
What isn't clear though is how users will be able to experience or use the LTE network at Baguio City. Smart's not yet offering any LTE capable device at the moment, I guess they will do demonstrations again at the city.